Dispatchers, Nute Receive Awards For Outstanding Service

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) presented an award to the staff of the Newtown Emergency Communications Center at Town Hall South on April 17. The award recognizes the communications center’s expert handling of radio telecommunications traffic stemming from the December 14 shooting incident at Sandy Hook School. Pictured, from left, are Dispatcher Jason Chickos, APCO Atlantic Chapter President Craig Scholl, Newtown Director of Emergency Communications Maureen Will, APCO Atlantic Chapter Past President Frank Kiernan, and Dispatcher Tom Ramsdell.

Photo: Andrew Gorosko

Newtown Director of Emergency Communications Maureen Will, at podium, speaks April 17 at an awards ceremony at Newtown Municipal Center at which local Dispatcher Bob Nute, center, was named the national winner in the Second Annual Smart Telecommunicator Awards. At right is Mr Nute’s wife, Susan.

The staff of the Newtown Emergency Communications Center at Town Hall South, and also an individual dispatcher there, were the recipients of awards this week presented to recognize excellent performance, especially as demonstrated during the intensive period of emergency radio telecommunications traffic following the mass shooting incident at Sandy Hook School on 12/14.

In ceremonies held on the morning of April 17 in the dispatching center, the Atlantic Chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) presented a plaque to honor the efforts of the dispatching staff.

The award recognizes the staff and management for commitment and dedication to providing exceptional service to citizens and visitors in Newtown.

“This exceptional service was evident as your staff expertly handled the tragic incident beginning at 09:35 hours on December 14, 2012, at the Sandy Hook Elementary School,” the award states.

“As the true first, first responders, your service is exemplary and a shining example of the work done by public safety telecommunicators around the world,” it adds.

National Award For Nute

Also on the afternoon of April 17, town officials gathered in the main meeting room at Newtown Municipal Center to honor Mr Nute, who was one of two dispatchers on duty when the shooting incident occurred.

Mr Nute was named the national winner in the Second Annual Smart Telecommunicator Awards. Four regional winners also were announced. The awards are sponsored by Rave Mobile Safety’s Smart-911 system.

In a statement, Rave said that Mr Nute was named the national winner for routinely inspiring his peers and for mentoring newer members of the communications center. Mr Nute is the center’s communications training officer.

While on dispatching duty as the school shooting incident unfolded, Mr Nute’s “professional and calm demeanor helped emergency responders and his community through the incident,” according to Rave.

“Robert is a true role model, possesses extensive expertise in firefighting, and serves as an adjunct instructor of fire science at a local community college,” Rave said.

In a statement, Ms Will said, “Bob is an invaluable member of our team here at Newtown and is respected by all of us. I am so thrilled to be able to honor him in this way. We all lived through a terrible tragedy together, and Bob’s leadership and dedication helped to facilitate the best possible response.”